Airframe display systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An airframe display system and method. The airframe display system has an airtight airframe having at least one airbeam. The airbeam has a sleeve of dimensionally stable material. A stretch fabric cover is received over the airframe whereby, upon inflation, the airframe is substantially rigid and the stretch fabric cover is taut over the airframe defining a display surface area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/355,442, filed Apr. 30, 2014, which is a national stage entry ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2012/062,034, filed Oct. 26, 2012,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/609,693,filed Mar. 12, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/555,347,filed Nov. 3, 2011.

BACKGROUND

There are various types of display systems used by exhibitors attradeshows and by retailers in stores or in kiosks to displaymerchandise. Some of these display systems may include large island-typedisplays comprising multi-level structures with trusses, posts andpanels. Examples of such display systems include the Tube Ultra® system,the Inliten® exhibit system, the Envoy® exhibit system, the Engage®panel system and the Mosaic® panel system, all available from SkylineDisplays, Inc. of Eagan, Minn. (“Skyline’), and as disclosed in thefollowing US patents and published applications: U.S. Pat. No.6,543,164; U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,834; U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,064 andUS2010/0236116. Each of these systems utilize external or internalaluminum frame members to support the walls and/or the printed graphicpanels.

Other types of more portable display systems include the Skyline DesignView® presentation system, which is disclosed in US Publication No.US2010/0238544. Like the previously identified display systems, theSkyline Design View system comprises an aluminum frame which supports apanel for displaying graphics. Another portable display system is theSkyline Regatta™ system which utilizes shock-corded steel tubes to forma frame over which is stretched a fabric graphic cover that zips closedon one side of the outer perimeter.

Still other types of portable displays include the Skyline Mirage®pop-up display and the Skyline Quest® pop-up display, such as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,560. These displays utilize pivotally joinedfiberglass or aluminum rods that “pop-up” or expand from the folded orcollapsed position. When fully expanded, the pivoting rods lock intoplace with connectors to form a lattice-type frame from which graphicpanels are supported by magnets and/or hook-and-loop fasteners.

While each of the foregoing tradeshow displays have enjoyed significantcommercial success and serve their intended purpose, they each require aframe constructed of rigid members and therefore each requires at leastsome assembly and disassembly, usually requiring tools, to set up andtaken down the display. Additionally, the rigid frame members addsignificantly to the overall weight of the display system and to thesize and bulk of the shipping container for the display system.

It is recognized that inflatable displays may provide advantages overrigid frame displays with respect to weight and set up, but currentinflatable display systems often have a balloon or blimp-like appearancemaking the inflatable displays appear cartoonish such that most are notwell suited for tradeshows where the tradeshow participant is attemptingto portray a professional, serious or stylish appearing display orbooth. Accordingly, there is a need for a display system which providesconfiguration flexibility, ease of setup and take down without the needfor tools, and reduced drayage costs while providing the appearance of aconventional rigid framed display.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an airframe displaysystem.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the airframe display of FIG. 1 with thecover removed to show an embodiment of the airframe.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an airframedisplay illustrating an embodiment of removable graphic display panel.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a rectangular airframe displaysystem with a partial cut-away of the cover to show the airbeams of theairframe.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a circular airframe display systemwith a partial cut-away of the cover to show the airbeams of theairframe.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of an airframe display system withcurvilinear sides with a partial cut-away of the cover to airbeams ofthe airframe.

FIG. 7A is a front elevation view of an airframe display system withvisible posts and curvilinear sides.

FIG. 7B is a front elevation view of the airframe display system of FIG.7A with the cover removed to show the internal airbeams.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an airframe display system withcurvilinear front and back sides.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a three-dimensional rectangular airframedisplay with a partial cutaway of the cover to show the airbeams of theairframe.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a three-dimensional cylindricalairframe display with a partial cutaway of the cover to show theairbeams of the airframe.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of an airframeillustrating an embodiment of the opening in the sleeves and tubularjumpers.

FIGS. 12A-12B are perspective views of an embodiment of a rectangularairframe with a partial cutaway of the cover to show an embodiment of amitered corner detail of the airbeams of the airframe.

FIGS. 13A-13B are perspective views of another embodiment of arectangular airframe display system with a partial cutaway of the coverto show an embodiment of a corner detail with right angle corner fins.

FIGS. 14A-14B are perspective views of another embodiment of rectangularairframe display system with a partial cutaway of the cover to show anembodiment of a corner detail with for rounded corner fins.

FIGS. 15A-15B are perspective views of another embodiment of rectangularairframe display system with a partial cutaway of the cover to show anembodiment of a corner detail with a single right angle corner fin.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the airframe display systemas viewed along lines 16-16 of FIGS. 13A and 14A.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the airframe display systemas viewed along lines 17-17 of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an alternative embodimentin which the display system having rectangular airbeams comprising theairframe.

FIG. 19A-19C are partial cross-sectional views of an airbeam showing anembodiment of an air port for inflating and deflating the airframe.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged partial cutaway view of an airbeam illustratingan internal tubular jumper to fluidly connect tube-type bladders.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of a removable airbeam withattaching sleeves.

FIGS. 22A-22B show a perspective view of an embodiment of a footassembly for supporting an airframe display.

FIGS. 23A-23B show a perspective view of another embodiment of a footassembly for supporting an airframe display.

FIG. 24 is an elevation view showing an embodiment of a parallelconnector assembly for connecting parallel airbeams.

FIGS. 25-26 illustrate a corner connector assembly for attaching acantilevered airframe to a backwall airframe display.

FIGS. 27-28 illustrate an embodiment of an accessory mount forsupporting a bracket for mounting an accessory to an airframe display.

FIGS. 29-30 illustrate another embodiment of a magnetic accessory mountfor magnetically supporting an accessory to an airframe display.

FIGS. 31A-31D illustrate an embodiment of a compression sack forcompressing and storing a deflated airframe display.

FIGS. 32A-32C illustrate an embodiment of a storage case incorporating acompression system for compressing and storing a deflated airframedisplay.

FIGS. 33A-33C illustrate an embodiment of a self-contained airframedisplay system with a storage case and inflator.

FIG. 34 is an enlarged perspective view of a lighting unit secured to anairbeam as shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 35-49 illustrate various configurations of airframe displaysystems supporting various smaller airframe display systems.

FIGS. 50-51 illustrate an airframe truss for an airframe display systemwith struts, gussets and diagonal tension members.

FIG. 52 is a perspective view illustrating a hanging airframe displaysystem comprised of a plurality of modular airframes.

FIG. 53 is a partial cross-sectional view along lines 53-53 of FIG. 52showing an embodiment for joining the covers of adjacent displays.

FIG. 54 is a partial cross-sectional view along lines 54-54 of FIG. 52showing an embodiment for joining modular airframes with a single cover.

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a frusto-conicalairframe display system with a partial cutaway of the cover to show theairbeams of the airframe.

FIGS. 56-70 illustrate various embodiments of three-dimensional hangingairframe display systems comprising nested airframe displays.

DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 isa perspective view of an airframe display system 10 comprising anairframe 12 (FIG. 2) and a cover 14 on which images, text or othergraphics are printed or applied to a display surface. When inflated, theairframe 12 defines the shape of the display system 10 and supports thecover 14 without the need for interior or exterior poles, braces orother rigid framing members. It should be appreciated that the airframedisplay system 10 may be any desirable two-dimensional orthree-dimensional size, shape or configuration and therefore thespecific embodiments shown in the drawings are merely intended toillustrate examples of a wide variety of configurations or features thatmay be incorporated into an airframe display system 10.

The cover 14, which may enclose or cover all or a portion of theairframe 12, is preferably a stretch-fabric material, such as Lycra®,and is preferably sized so that when the airframe 12 is fully inflated,the cover 14 is taut around the airframe 12 and is free of folds orcreases that would otherwise distort or obscure the graphics or othercopy printed or applied on the cover 14. The cover 14 along with theentire airframe 12, is preferably made of fire retardant material.

In one embodiment, the cover 14 is similar in configuration to apillowcase which receives the deflated airframe 12 through an opening 16in one side. Closing means 18, such as a zipper, hook and loop fasteners(e.g. Velcro®), snaps, buttons, ties, laces or any other type ofsuitable closing means, may be provided for closing the opening 16. Theopening 16 and closing means 18 are preferably positioned on the cover14 such that they are substantially hidden from view, e.g., along a top,bottom or side edge of the display, and which preferably provides easyaccess to the air port 40 (discussed later) for inflating and deflatingthe airframe 12 without having to remove the cover 14. If it is desiredto change the cover 14 for a different tradeshow or event, or if thecover 14 becomes damaged, the cover can simply be unzipped and removedfrom the airframe 12 and swapped out with a new or different cover 14.

It may be desirable to construct the cover 14 of multiple layers, forexample two or three layers with an interior layering being black orotherwise opaque to minimize shadowing of the airframe 12 or tominimizing the airframe 12 being visible through the cover 14,particularly if the cover is illuminated or backlighted (discussedlater). In the two-layer cover embodiment, the inner layer or the layernext to the airframe is preferably black or otherwise opaque and theexterior layer (i.e., the layer on which the graphics are printed orapplied) being white, translucent, or any other suitable color forprinting or applying graphics. In the three-layered cover embodiment,the black or otherwise opaque layer is preferably the interior or middlelayer with the exterior layer (i.e., the layer on which the graphics areprinted or displayed) being white, translucent, or any other suitablecolor for printing or applying graphics.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the cover 14 may be intwo parts with one of the parts comprising a graphic display panel 14 aon which the graphics are printed or applied, that unzips or isotherwise removable from an intermediate cover 14 b that remains overthe airframe 12 so the graphic panel 14 a can be easily swapped outwithout having to remove the entire cover 14 from the airframe 12. Insuch an embodiment, the mating sides of the graphics display panel 14 aand the intermediate cover 14 b include cooperating attachment means 17,such as mating halves of a zipper or mating hook and loop fastenerelements, snaps, buttons or the like. Thus, when it is desired to swapout one graphic display panel 14 a with another, the one graphic displaypanel can simply be detached from the intermediate cover 14 b and a newor different graphic display panel 14 a can be attached in its placewhile the airframe 12 is inflated or deflated.

Referring to FIG. 2, as previously identified, the airframe 12 definesthe shape of the display system 10 which may be a “two-dimensional”display or a “three-dimensional” display. As used herein, a“two-dimensional” display refers to a display system 10 that may beused, for example, as a backwall that is intended to be viewed from thefront side only such that it has a graphic display surface on the frontside (e.g., FIGS. 1 and 4-7). Alternatively a two-dimensional displaymay be used as a panel that is intended to be viewed from two directionssuch that a graphic display surface is provided on both the front sideand the back side. A “two-dimensional” display may be planar or it maybe curvilinear on any side, including forming a forwardly curved concaveor rearwardly curved convex wall or panel (e.g., FIG. 8). A “threedimensional” display refers to a display system 10 that has a graphicdisplay surface around the entire display or substantially the entiredisplay such that the graphic display can be viewed from all sides(e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10). The three dimensional display may have planarfaces or curvilinear faces, including forwardly or rearwardly curvingconcave or convex faces. Alternatively, the airframe 12 may comprisemultiple two-dimensional airframe modules 12′ that are connected orattached (as discussed later) to form a three-dimensional display suchas illustrated in FIG. 62.

The airframe 12 and/or the airframe modules 12′ may be comprised of asingle continuous airbeam 22 (see e.g., FIG. 5) or multiple airbeams 22(see, e.g. FIGS. 2, 4, 6). The airbeams 22 may be any desired dimensiondepending on the length or height of the airframe 12 and/or the desireddepth for the airframe 12. Additionally, as best illustrated in FIG.7A-7B, the airframe 12 may include different sized airbeams 22 and theairframe 12 may include exposed airbeams 22 a.

The airframes 12 and/or the airbeams 22 include an outer sleeve 24 andan inner air bladder 26. The outer sleeve 24 is constructed of adimensionally stable material such as nylon or polyester sailcloth thatis sewn, bonded or otherwise joined to create the desired shape orconfiguration of the airbeam 22. The air bladder 26 may be a separate,removable sealed tube-type bladder made of polyurethane or otherairtight material that is welded, bonded or otherwise sealed to form anelongated inflatable tube, or the air bladder 26 may be integral withthe sleeve 24 by coating the interior or exterior surface area of thesleeve material with a polyurethane coating or other airtight materialor otherwise constructing the sleeve out of airtight, dimensionallystable material.

In the embodiment in which an inflatable tube-type air bladder 26 isused, it should be appreciated that the bladder 26 is preferably sizedsuch that it is capable of being inflated to a length and diameter thatis greater in length and diameter than the sleeve 24 into which it isinserted, so that when inflated, the inner bladder 26 expands to fullyfill the elongated void of the outer sleeve 24. It should be appreciatedthat because the outer sleeve 24 is preferably made of dimensionallystable material and is preferably smaller in diameter than the diameterto which the tube-type bladder 26 is capable of being inflated, theairbeam 22 becomes quite rigid when the bladder is inflated, even atrelatively low pressures of less than 5 psi. It should also beappreciated that the greater the inflation pressure, the more rigid theairbeam will become, but with increased pressures there is also greaterlikelihood that the bladder 26 and/or the airbeam 22 may burst or leak.It has been found that a pressures between about 5 psi to about 15 psiresults in the airbeam 22 and/or the airframe 12 being sufficientlyrigid for most display systems 10, but pressures as low as 1 psi topressures in excess of 30 psi may also be suitable.

It should be appreciated that the dimensionally stable sleeve 24 definesthe shape of the airbeam 22. Thus, if the desired shape of the airbeamis to be straight or curvilinear, the sleeve 24 is preferably cut andsewn or otherwise fabricated to the desired shape of the airbeam 22 wheninflated. In the embodiments which use the tube-type air bladder 26, thesleeves 24 comprising the airbeams 22, preferably includes an opening 28(FIGS. 2, 11) through which one or more of the tube-type bladders 26 arecapable of being inserted and/or removed. A suitable closing means 30(FIG. 11) such as zippers, Velcro® fasteners, snaps, ties, laces, or anyother suitable closing means may be provided to close the opening 28 ofthe sleeve 24 so the tube-type bladder 26 does not bulge out of theopening 28 when inflated.

With respect to the construction of the airframe 12, the sleeves 24 ofintersecting airbeams 22 may be cut and sewn together to form a miteredcorner (see FIGS. 12A-12B). The mitered corners provide a sharp corneredge giving the display system a more refined appearance so that itresembles a rigid framed display system. In alternative embodiments, inorder to provide more sharp side edges or corner edges, fins 23 may besewn or otherwise formed into the sleeve 24 and positioned so that thecover 14 is held outwardly from the tubular sleeve 24. For example, twofins 23 may be formed into the sleeve 24 which form right angles at thecorners (see, e.g., FIGS. 13A-13B and 16) or a radius at the corners(see, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14B), or a chamfer (not shown) or any otherdesired corner detail. Additionally, rather than two fins 23, a singlefin 23 may be provided as illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15B and 17. Again, atthe corners of the display, the single fin embodiments may form a rightangle, a radius or chamfer or any other desired corner detail.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18, the sleeve 24 and bladder 26comprising the airbeam 22 may be formed into a rectangular shape so thatwhen inflated, the airbeam 22 is rectangular with substantially squarecorners and parallel sides.

To inflate the airframe, an inflator 60 (discussed later) is connectedto one or more air ports 40 (FIGS. 2 and 19) through which air iscommunicated to the internal air bladder 26 within the dimensionallystable sleeves 24. The air port 40 may be any suitable valve which ispreferably adapted to receive an air hose from the inflator 60 forquickly inflating the airframe 12. Alternatively the air port 40 may beadapted to receive a hand pump or foot pump. FIGS. 19A-19C illustrateone embodiment of an air port 40 similar to the air ports found oninflatable boats or rafts. The air port 40 comprises a two partthreadably connected body with a removable cap 42. The two partthreadably connected body includes an outer valve body 44 which ispositioned inside the air bladder 26 below an opening through theairbladder 26 and through the sleeve 24. An inner valve body 46 isthreadably received into the outer valve body 44. As the inner and outervalve bodies are threaded together, the bladder 26 and sleeve 24 arepinched between the flanges of the inner and outer valve bodies 44, 46creating an airtight seal. The inner valve body 46 includes a springbiased plunger-type valve 47 having a valve stem 48 received within acoil spring 49. The valve stem 48 may include cams (not shown) so thatwhen depressed, the valve stem 48 slightly rotates within the innervalve body 46. When the valve stem 48 is released, the cams abut theinner valve body 46 locking the valve 47 in an open position. When valvestem 48 is depressed again, the cams cause the valve stem 48 to againrotate allowing the valve 47 to seat in the closed position.

It is desirable for the air ports 40 to have a sufficiently largevolumetric capacity so that the entire display can be quickly inflatedand deflated. For example, for a ten foot backwall airframe display 10(such as illustrated in FIG. 1), in which the airframe 12 is inflated toa pressure of about 11 psi, for example, the air port 40 will preferablyhave a sufficient volumetric capacity to deflate the airframe 12 to apressure of about 1 psi in about ten seconds at which pressure theairframe 12 will typically collapse. Using the ten foot backwallairframe display as an example, because pressure is proportional tovelocity squared, and again assuming the airframe 12 is inflated to apressure of about 11 psi, upon opening the valve 47 of the air port 40,it can be calculated that air will escape the air port at about 114cubic feet per minute (cfm). An air port 40 that has been found to besuitable for an airframe display system which provides such volumetriccapacity is a Scoprega/Ningbo Bravo (Milan, Italy) model no. 2005.Furthermore, after the collapsed airframe 12 is being gathered up forstorage in a storage case or into a compression sack (discussed later) alarge volumetric capacity air port allows the remaining air within theairframe 12 to be more quickly expelled such that the airframe may bemore quickly and efficiently compressed into a smaller volume.

For convenience in set up and take down of the airframe display system10, it may be desirable to have a single air port 40 to inflate anddeflate the entire airframe 12. In such an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, tubular jumpers 50 are provided to fluidly connect the airbladders of the intersecting beams 22 comprising the airframe 12.Similarly, for airbeams 22 having the tube-type air bladders 26, it maybe desirable to have tubular jumpers 50 connecting the bladdersinternally within the sleeve (see FIG. 20). By using internal tubularjumpers 50 to fluidly connect the tube-type bladders 26, the tubebladders may be fabricated in standardized lengths (such as four, six oreight foot lengths) which can then be joined together by the tubularjumpers 50, for insertion into the sleeves. For example, if an airbeam22 is has a twelve-foot length, then three four-foot tube bladders ortwo six-foot tube bladders may be inserted into the sleeve 24 of theairbeam 22 with the bladders fluidly connected by internal tubularjumpers 50. Such an arrangement will permit the replacement of a singletube-type bladder section within the sleeve 24 of an airbeam 22 if onesection is punctured or begins to leak rather than replacing an entiretube bladder fabricated to match the length of the airbeam 22. Referringto FIG. 20, the tubular jumpers 50 may comprise a flexible tube 52extending between stems 54 in adjacent tube-type bladders 26 a, 26 binternally of the sleeves 24 and/or them stems 54 projecting through thesleeves 24 of intersecting airbeams 22. The stems 54 are designed tosecurely hold the ends of the flexible tube 52 so that, once connected,the tube 52 does not inadvertently disconnected from the stem 54 causingthe airframe 12 to deflate.

While multiple internal tube-type bladders 26 may be used in a singleairbeam 22, it has been found that where two beams intersect (such as ata corner) it is desirable to close off the ends of the intersectingbeams with an internal wall (not shown) to prevent bladder “creeping”from one beam to another.

The inflator 60 (FIG. 2) is preferably an electric air pump, but acompressed air tank or a hand pump or foot pump may also be suitable.The electric air pump may be powered by an AC power supply or DC powersupply, such as a 12 volt DC battery, for portability or when an ACpower supply may not be readily available. It may be desirable to usethe electric air pump to withdraw or evacuate the air from the airframeto more quickly deflate the airframe 12. Thus, it may be desirable toutilize an air pump inflator that allows the air hose used to connect tothe air port 40 to be swapped between an air inlet of the pump and theair outlet of the pump. The air pump may be a single stage or a twostage pump. For most displays, a single stage pump should be suitable.For very large displays, a two stage blower and piston pump such as theBTP12 Manometer pump available from Scoprega/Ningbo Bravo, Milan, Italymay be desirable. A two stage pump may be desirable because the firststage blower is used to quickly fill the airframe 12 with air at a lowpressure (up to approximately 3 psi) after which the second stage pistonpump is automatically actuated to bring the pressure in the airframe 12up to the desired airframe pressure such as 11 psi. When the desiredairframe pressure is reached, the pump preferably automatically stopspumping.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a removable airbeamstrut 22 b which may be used with any two-dimensional orthree-dimensional display system 10. As with the other above-describedairbeams 22, the removable airbeam strut 22 b comprises a sleeve 24 andbladder 26 as previously described. At the upper and lower ends of theairbeam strut 22 b is a connecting sleeve 25 that is made of the samematerial as the sleeve 24. The connecting sleeve 25 includes a closingmeans 27, such as a zipper, Velcro fasteners, snaps, ties, lacing, etc.,and is preferably sized so that when closed by the closing means 27 itis the same diameter as the beam 22 to which it is to be connected sothat when the airbeam 22 is inflated, the connecting sleeve 25 does notslide along the inflated airbeam 22. If the removable airbeam strut 22 bincludes a tube-type bladder, the strut 22 b preferably includes asimilar opening 28 and closing means 30 in the sleeve 24 as previouslydescribed for inserting and/or removing the tube-type bladder 26 if itbecomes punctured. The removable airbeam strut 22 b may include aseparate air port as previously described or it may include stems 54 forreceiving the tubular jumpers 50 to fluidly connect the bladder of theremovable strut 22 b to the bladder of an interesting airbeam 22.

FIGS. 22-23 illustrate embodiments of foot assemblies 70 to providestability to the airframe display system 10 when it is placed on a floorsurface. In the embodiment of FIGS. 22A-22B, the foot assembly 70comprises a substantially planar base 72 and a vertical rod 74. Thevertical rod 74 is received within a pocket 76 stitched or otherwisebonded to the sleeve 24 of the airframe 12. The pocket 76 is preferablymade of the same material as the sleeve 24 and is preferably sized tosnuggly receive the rod 74. FIG. 22B shows the same corner of theairframe display 10 of FIG. 22A, but with the cover 14 disposed over theairframe 12. The cover 14 includes a small opening 78 through which therod extends before it is received by the pocket 76.

FIGS. 23A-23B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the foot assembly70. In this embodiment, the foot assembly 70 includes a substantiallyplanar base 72 to which is secured a U-shaped saddle 75 sized to receivethe bottom airbeam 22 of the airframe 12. In this embodiment, the bottomairbeam 22 with the cover 14 is received in the saddle 75 such that itis not necessary to create a small opening in the cover for attachingthe foot assembly as in the previous embodiment.

In some applications it may be desirable to connect together twoseparate display systems 10 (each having their own airframe 12 andcover) end-to-end or it may be desirable to connect two parallelairbeams or airframe modules 12′ end-to-end which are then receivedwithin a single cover 14. FIG. 24 illustrates one embodiment of aparallel connector assembly 80 for connecting aligned ends of anairframe 12 or airframe modules 12′ together. The parallel connectorassembly 80 comprises a U-shaped connector 82 having ends which areinserted into aligned pockets 84 stitched or otherwise bonded to theairbeams 22 of adjacent airframes 12 or airframe modules 12′. Thepockets 84 are preferably made of the same material as the sleeve 24 ofthe airbeams 22 and the pockets 84 are preferably sized to snugglyreceive the ends of the U-shaped connector 82. It should be appreciatedthat if two display systems 10 with each display system having its owncover 14, then the covers 14 would include a small opening through whichthe ends of the U-shaped connector 82 extend before being received bythe pockets 84. However, if two or more airframe modules 12′ areconnected together first and then a single cover 14 is placed overjoined airframe modules 12′, then the cover 14 need not have smallopenings to receive the U-shaped connector.

FIGS. 25-26 illustrates a corner connector assembly 90 which may beused, for example, to connect a cantilevered airframe module 12′ to avertical airframe 12 of a two dimensional display 10. The cornerconnector assembly 90 comprises an L-shaped connector rod 92 forconnecting the intersecting airframes 12 together. The L-shapedconnector rod 92 may have a ninety degree bend as shown or it may havean obtuse or acute angle bend. As with the parallel connector assembly,one end of the L-shaped connector rod 92 is received within a pocket 94stitched to the sleeve 24 of one of the airframes 12. The other end ofthe L-shaped connector rod 92 is received within another pocket 96stitched to the sleeve 24 of the other airframe 12. The pockets 94, 96are preferably made of the same material as the sleeve 24 and arepreferably sized to snuggly receive the ends of the L-shaped connectorrod 92. It should be appreciated that the cover 14 would include a smallopening through which the ends of the connector rod 92 extend beforebeing received by the pockets 94, 96.

FIGS. 27-28 illustrate an embodiment of an accessory mount 100. In thisembodiment, the accessory mount 100 comprises an attachment sleeve 102for attaching to an airbeam 22 of an airframe 12 for purposes ofattaching other components, such as a monitor, shelves, other airframedisplays, etc. The attachment sleeve 102 may include a pocket 104 forreceiving a bracket 106. The bracket 106 has a sleeve insert end 108 andan accessory mount end 110. The attachment sleeve 102 is preferably madeof the same material as the sleeve 24 of the airbeam and includes asuitable closing means 112, such as a zipper, Velcro® fasteners, snaps,ties, lacing, etc., and is preferably sized so that when the attachmentsleeve 24 is zipped or otherwise closed by the closing means 112 it isthe same diameter as the airbeam 22 to which it is to be connected sothat when the airbeam 22 is inflated, the attachment sleeve 102 does notmove with respect to the inflated airbeam 22. The accessory mount end110 of the bracket 106 may have any of various types of accessoryconnectors (not shown) depending on the accessory to be mounted. Forexample the accessory connector may be a simple plate, a threadedconnector to which a monitor or shelf may be bolted, threaded orotherwise attached. It should be appreciated that a similar attachmentsleeve with pockets may be used for the parallel connector assembly 80and/or for the corner connector assembly 90.

FIGS. 29-30 illustrate another embodiment of an accessory mount 100 thatis magnetic. In this embodiment the accessory mount 100 includes anattachment sleeve 102 with a suitable closing means 112 such as azipper, Velcro® fasteners, snaps, ties, lacing, etc., as described inconnection with the embodiment of FIGS. 27-28 for purposes of attachingother components, such as a monitor, shelves, other airframe displays,etc. However, in this embodiment, rather than a pocket secured to theattachment sleeve 102, a steel plate 114 is secured to the attachmentsleeve 102. The accessory mount 100 in this embodiment also includes aspacer member 116 which may be in the shape of a cylindrical tube or anyother desired shape, with a length and width depending on the amount ofoffset desired between the airframe and the accessory and the weight ofthe accessory to be mounted. The spacer member 116 has first and secondend caps 118, 120 each having a plurality of magnets 122 seated in theend caps. As shown in FIG. 30, the first magnetic end cap 118magnetically attaching to the metal plate 114 secured to the attachmentsleeve 102 secured to the airbeam 22 of the airframe 12. If theaccessory to be mounted to the spacer member 116 is itself metal, suchas for example a metal shelf bracket or a metal monitor mounting plate,then the second magnetic end cap 118 may magnetically attach to theaccessory.

FIGS. 31A-31D illustrate an embodiment of a compression sack 140 whichmay be used to tightly compress the airframe display system 10 into atight bundle so it will take up less space during storage or transport.The compression sack 140 comprises a wear resistant fabric bag 142 witha draw string 144 around its opening 146. Rigid side panels 148 aredisposed on the inside bottom periphery of the bag 142 in order toprovide a rectangular configuration to the bottom of the bag 142. Therigid side panels 148 may be omitted if desired. The size of the bag 142and side panels 148 may vary depending on the size of the airframedisplay to be stowed therein and whether it is desirable to meet airlinecanyon-on baggage size limits. Levers 150 are hingedly secured to theoutside of the bag 142, proximately in the middle of each of the rigidside panels 148. Straps 152 are secured to each of the levers. Thestraps 152 may be secured at different positions along the levers 150 tovary the leverage achieved by each of the levers 150 as they are pivoteddownwardly as described later. The ends of the straps 152 includecooperating elements of a connector 154, such as a side-release buckleor any other suitable connector. The connector 154 also preferablyincludes a strap length adjuster to permit the strap lengths to beadjusted as needed. Lever fastener straps 156 are provide with matingVelcro® fasteners or the like, to hold the levers 150 in place duringtransport and storage.

In use, the collapsed or deflated display system 10 (including theairframe 12 together with the cover 14) is stuffed into the bag 142through the opening 146 (FIG. 31A). The bag opening 146 is cinchedclosed with the draw string 144 (FIG. 31B). The top of the bag with thedeflated airframe display 10 therein is pushed downwardly until the endsof the straps 152 can be brought together over the top of the bag andfastened together with the connectors 154 (FIG. 31C). The ends of thestraps are then pulled tight to draw the straps downwardly and tofurther compress the airframe display 10 within the bag 142. The levers150 are then pivoted downwardly as indicated by arrows 158 (FIG. 31C) tofurther tighten the straps and to further compress the airframe display10 within the bag 142. As previously identified, the straps 152 may besecured at different positions along the levers 150 to vary the leverarm, and thus the force required to pivot the levers 150 downwardly asthe airframe display 10 is compressed into a tighter bundle. It shouldbe appreciated that the lever 150 with the strap furthest from the hingeor pivot point would be pivoted down first, and then the other levers150 would be pivoted downwardly in successive order from the levershaving the strap attached furthest from the hinge or pivot point andending with the lever having the strap attached closest to the hinge orpivot point. In this manner each lever 150 will require substantiallythe same amount of force to pivot the lever 150 downwardly as the bag142 is compressed into a tighter bundle. As the levers are pivoteddownwardly, the fastener straps 156 are secured over the levers 150 tohold them in place (FIG. 31D). The compressed bundle may then becarried, or the compressed bundle may be placed in a storage ortransport container together with the inflator 60.

It has been found that with a compression sack 140 as described anillustrated in FIGS. 31A-31D, a ten foot by eight foot backwall airframedisplay (such as illustrated in FIG. 1) can be compressed to a size thatwill fit into an airline carry-on baggage along with the inflator 60.The current maximum airline carry-on baggage dimensions are 22×14×9inches (56×36×23 cm).

In an alternative embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 32A-32C, acompression system may be incorporated into a storage case 160 which mayinclude wheels or casters (not shown). In this embodiment, the storagecase 160 includes a rectangular body 162 with a hinged lid 164 that maybe secured by latches, zippers or other suitable closing means (notshown) as is conventional with a lzuggage or storage case. A wearresistant fabric compression bag 166 is secured around the interiorperiphery of the case body 162. The compression bag 166 includes anopening 168 at a top end with a draw string 170. The size of thecompression bag 166 and the case body 162 may vary depending on the sizeof the airframe display to be stowed therein and whether it is desirableto meet airline carryon-on baggage size limits. Compression straps 172are secured to the sides of the case body 162. The ends of thecompression straps 172 include cooperating elements of a connector 174,such as a side-release buckle or any other suitable connector. Theconnectors 174 also preferably includes a strap length adjuster topermit the strap lengths to be tightened to assist in the compression ofthe airframe display 10.

In use, the collapsed or deflated display system 10 (including theairframe 12 together with the cover 14) is stuffed into the compressionbag 166 through the opening 168 (FIG. 32A). The bag opening 168 iscinched closed with the draw string 170 (FIG. 32B). The top of thecompression bag with the deflated airframe display 10 therein is pusheddownwardly until the ends of the compression straps 172 can be broughttogether over the top of the bag and fastened together with theconnectors 174 (FIG. 32B). The ends of the compression straps are thenpulled tight to draw the compression straps 172 downwardly to furthercompress the airframe display 10 within the compression bag 166 untilthe lid 164 can be closed. The storage case 160 is preferably sized toalso fit the inflator 60 (not shown).

In another embodiment of the airframe display system 10 as illustratedin FIGS. 33A-33C, the airframe display system 10 may comprise part of aself-contained unit 180 which includes a travel or storage case 182 inwhich the inflator 60 is retained along with the deflated airframedisplay system 10. The storage case 182 may or may not include thecompression system as described in connection with FIGS. 32A-32C. To usethe self-contained unit 180, the storage case 182 is placed on the flooror other support surface and the lid 184 is opened. The deflatedairframe display system 10 is preferably spread out onto the floorsurface. The airframe 12 is then inflated using the inflator 60. Aswitch (not shown) for actuating the inflator 60 may be provided on theinflator, or on the outside of the storage case 182 for easier access,or in other suitable locations. As illustrated in FIGS. 33B-33C, theairframe 12 of the display system 10 is preferably directly connected tothe inflator 60 so that it is not necessary to connect the inflator tothe air port 40 on the airframe 12.

In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to provide lighting aroundthe outer periphery of the display system 10 to illuminate the displaysystem 10, to provide backlighting of the cover 14, and/or to illuminatethe airframe 12 from the interior. FIGS. 2 and 34 illustrate anembodiment of a light system 200 comprising a light module string 202secured around the inner periphery of the airframe 12. The lightingmodule string 202 are preferably comprised of a plurality of lightemitting diode (LED) arrays 204. LEDs are preferred because relativelysmall LED arrays can emit very bright light with very little heatgeneration and can be powered with low voltage power source andlow-voltage wires. In one embodiment the LED arrays 204 (FIG. 34) aresecured by rivets, snaps, stitching, Velcro®, or other suitableattaching means to the exterior or interior of the sleeves 24 of theairbeams 22 comprising the airframe 12. In another embodiment, the LEDlight module string 202 may be secured by rivets, stitching, snaps orother suitable attaching means to the interior or exterior of the cover14. A switch (not shown) may be attached to the LED light module stringto turn the light system 200 on and off as desired.

It should be appreciated that the lighting module string 202 can remainsecured to the airframe 12 or cover 14 without ever having to beremoved. When the display system 10 is to be stored between uses, theairframe 12 is simply deflated and the entire assembly (i.e., theairframe 12, together with the cover 14 remaining on or over theairframe and with the lighting module string 202 remaining in place) issimply bundled up and stuffed into the compressions sack 140 and/or anyother storage case 160. The next time the display system 10 is to beused, it is simply spread out on the floor and inflated using theinflator 60. If lighting is desired, the user need only turn on thelighting system 200 by flipping or depressing the switch. Thus, setup ofa complete display system, with or without illumination can beaccomplished within a matter of a few minutes. Likewise takedown andstorage of a complete display system can be accomplished within a matterof a few minutes.

FIGS. 35-49 illustrate various two-dimensional display systems 10 withsmaller two-dimensional airframe displays 10′ attached thereto orsupported therefrom using one of the above-described accessory mounts100, parallel connector assemblies 80 or corner connector assemblies 90.

FIGS. 50-51 illustrate another airframe display system 10 comprising anairframe 12 in the form of a truss 300. The airframe truss 300 issimilar to the previously described airframes 12, but may be much longeror larger. The airframe truss 300 is shown as having top and bottomairbeams 302, 304 with a plurality of gusseted airbeam struts 306. Theairbeam struts 306 may be attached to the top and bottom airbeams 302,304 or the airbeam struts 306 may be removable airbeam struts 22 b aspreviously described. A cable or other suitable tension member 308extends diagonally between opposing corner gussets 310. The cornergussets 310 may be made from the same material as the sleeve 24 andstitched or attached to the sleeves 24 of the beams 302, 304 and struts322. Each gusset 310 includes a grommet 312 through which the cable orother tension member 308 is removably connected. The tension member 308,preferably includes a turnbuckle (not shown) or other suitable means ofadjusting the length and tension on the tension member 308. Byincreasing the tension on the tension member 308, the airframe truss 300can cantilever considerable distances beyond a vertical support withoutbending or bowing downwardly and may even be made to curve upwardly ordownwardly as desired.

FIG. 52 illustrates a three-dimensional display system 10 which may becreated by attaching multiple display systems 10 together or byattaching multiple airframe modules 12′ together or for supporting othercomponents from the airframes using the parallel connector assembly 80and/or the corner connector assembly 90. In the example of FIG. 52, thethree-dimensional display system 10 is formed by connecting fourcomplete two-dimensional airframe sub-display systems 10″ (each havingits own airframe 12 and cover 14). The adjacent ends of the covers 14 ofthe two-dimensional sub-display systems 10″ are connected together by avertical zipper 320 (FIG. 53) or other suitable connecting means such assnaps or Velcro®, for example, to form a single large display that maybe supported overhead by cables 309. It should be appreciated thatdifferent configurations of a three-dimensional modular display system10 may be created by varying the number of airframe sub-display systems10″ joined together or by having different sized or shaped airframesub-displays 10″ joined together. For example, rather than a square asshown, a triangle may be formed by joining three sub-display systems10″. Likewise, a pentagon or hexagon shaped display may be formed byjoining five or six airframe sub-displays 10″ together.

Rather than joining separate airframe sub-displays 10″ together to forma modular airframe display 10 as previously described, athree-dimensional airframe display 10 may be created by joining togetherairframe modules 12′ by a single cover 14 to form a three dimensionaldisplay 10. As shown in FIG. 54, the single cover 14 may includemultiple pockets 322 having an open top end 324 through which theairframe modules 12′ are inserted. A horizontal zipper 326 or othersuitable closing means is provided to close the top end 324 of thepockets 322. Different shaped display systems may be created by varyingthe number and/or length of the airframe modules 12′ and providingdifferent shaped covers 14 with corresponding pockets 322 for each ofthe shapes.

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of another three-dimensional airframedisplay system 10 comprising an airframe 12 with upper and lowercircular airbeams 22 and a plurality of spaced vertically disposedairbeams 22 surrounded by a single cover 14. The cover 14 includes anopening 16 and closing means 18 as previously described.

FIGS. 56-70 illustrate various three-dimensional airframe displays 10comprising a combination of two nesting three-dimensional airframedisplays 10 of the same, different or complimentary shapes to form aunique display system that may be hung overhead by cables (not shown) orsupported on a floor or other support surface.

Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that airframe displayssystems 10 may be made into virtually any size, shape or configuration.The airframe displays 10, in comparison to their conventional rigidframe counterparts, are very lightweight and they can be quickly set upand quickly taken down by simply inflating and deflating the airframe12. Furthermore, as described above, the airframe display systems 10 arecapable of being packed and compressed into a relatively small storagecase as compared to conventional display system utilizing a rigid framethereby reducing drayage costs. Another advantage of an airframe displaysystem 10 over rigid framed display systems is that, due to their lightweight, rigging costs are substantially reduced if it is desired to hangthe display from the ceiling or roof structure of a building or otherfacility and there is little concern that the airframe display system 10will overload the roof structure. Likewise, there may be no need forobtaining special permits from the building or facility manager forrigging an airframe display system 10 to hang overhead from the roofstructure as would typically be required with a much heavier rigidframed display, thereby avoiding delays and added costs typicallyassociated with obtaining approvals from building or facility managers.

Furthermore, greater cantilever or overhang sections can also beachieved with an airframe display system 10 than is practicable withrigid frame display systems because there is much less weight extendingbeyond the support structure. Less weight extending beyond the supportstructure translates into smaller shear and bending forces and momentsof inertia acting on the structural support. As such, the size, shapeand configuration of an airframe display system 10 is not limited ordictated by the structural support, rigging and weight to the extentthat such factors limit or dictate rigid display systems. Thus, airframedisplay systems 10 typically afford more flexibility in size, shape andconfiguration and more flexibility with respect to locating the displaywithin a facility than a conventional rigid frame display.

The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skillin the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the contextof a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and the general principlesand features of the system and methods described herein will be readilyapparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention isnot to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, system andmethods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but isto be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A display system, comprising: a pluralityof airtight, inflatable airbeams defining an airframe, each airbeamcomprising a sleeve of dimensionally stable material configured todefine a predetermined inflated sleeve dimension, the predeterminedinflated sleeve dimension of the plurality of airbeams defining a depthof the airframe; a stretch fabric cover defining an enclosure having afront surface area and a back surface area, the airframe received withinthe stretch fabric cover; whereby, when inflated, the stretch fabriccover is drawn taut over the airframe such that the front surface areaof the stretch fabric cover is substantially smooth and spaced from theback surface area by the depth of the airframe.
 2. The display system ofclaim 1 wherein the sleeve of dimensionally stable material of eachairbeam includes an inner airbladder.
 3. The display system of claim 1wherein the front surface area is opaque.
 4. The display system of claim1 wherein the stretch fabric cover includes a removable front surfacedisplay panel.
 5. The display system of claim 4 wherein the removablefront surface display panel is opaque.
 6. The display system of claim 1wherein the airframe and the stretch fabric cover together define adisplay structure.
 7. The display system of claim 6 wherein the displaystructure is two dimensional.
 8. The display system of claim 6 whereinthe display structure is three dimensional.
 9. The display system ofclaim 7 wherein the two dimensional structure has substantially parallelfront and back surfaces.
 10. The display system of claim 9 wherein thesubstantially parallel front and back surfaces are substantially planar.11. The display system of claim 9 wherein the substantially parallelfront and back surfaces are curvilinear.
 12. The display system of claim8 wherein the three dimensional structure has at least one substantiallyplanar surface.
 13. The display system of claim 8 wherein the threedimensional structure has at least one curvilinear surface.
 14. Thedisplay system of claim 1 further comprising LED lighting within theenclosure for illuminating the front surface area.
 15. The displaysystem of claim 1 wherein the plurality of airbeams are inflated to apressure between a range of about 1 psi to about 15 psi.
 16. The displaysystem of claim 1 further comprising at least one air port for inflatingand deflating the plurality of airbeams.
 17. A display method comprisingthe steps of: a) placing a display structure on a surface, the displaystructure comprising: i) a plurality of airtight, inflatable airbeamsdefining an airframe, each airbeam comprising a sleeve of dimensionallystable material configured to define a predetermined inflated sleevedimension, the predetermined inflated sleeve dimension of the pluralityof airbeams defining a depth of the airframe; ii) a stretch fabric coverdefining an enclosure having a front surface area and a back surfacearea, the airframe received within the stretch fabric cover; b)inflating the display structure with an inflator until the stretchfabric cover is drawn taut over the airframe such that the front surfacearea of the stretch fabric cover is substantially smooth and spaced fromthe back surface area by the depth of the airframe.
 18. The displaymethod of claim 17 wherein the sleeve of dimensionally stable materialof each airbeam includes an inner airbladder.
 19. The display method ofclaim 17 wherein the front surface area is opaque.
 20. The displaymethod of claim 17 wherein the stretch fabric cover includes a removablefront surface display panel.
 21. The display method of claim 20 whereinthe removable front surface display panel is opaque.
 22. The displaymethod of claim 17 wherein the display structure is two dimensional. 23.The display method of claim 17 wherein the display structure is threedimensional.
 24. The display method of claim 22 wherein the twodimensional structure has substantially parallel front and backsurfaces.
 25. The display method of claim 24 wherein the substantiallyparallel front and back surfaces are substantially planar.
 26. Thedisplay method of claim 24 wherein the substantially parallel front andback surfaces are curvilinear.
 27. The display method of claim 23wherein the three dimensional structure has at least one substantiallyplanar surface.
 28. The display method of claim 23 wherein the threedimensional structure has at least one curvilinear surface.
 29. Thedisplay method of claim 17 further comprising LED lighting within theenclosure for illuminating the front surface area.
 30. The displaymethod of claim 17 wherein the plurality of airbeams are inflated to apressure between a range of about 1 psi to about 15 psi.
 31. The displaymethod of claim 17 wherein the display structure includes at least oneair port for inflating and deflating the plurality of airbeams.